Obituary of Filomena Pica

Filomena Theresa Pica (nee Testa), 95 years old, formerly of Jersey City and a long-time resident of Parsippany, entered Heaven’s gates on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Affectionately known as “Mena,” she will be remembered by family and friends as a woman with a generous heart. Family was her passion and delight. Mena was a devoted and loving wife, a dedicated mother, a dutiful daughter, and a doting sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and great-aunt. However, the roles she cherished most were that of Grandma and Great Grandma. Mena was the consummate homemaker. She was a remarkable cook and a skillful baker who enjoyed preparing her signature “gravy” with homemade sausage and meatballs as well as her hand-made pasta. Her family can attest to the fact that her ravioli, manicotti, and Easter wheat pie were her trademarks and were unsurpassed in quality. In her leisure time, Mena read recipes from cooking magazines and watched the Food Network. She then incorporated many hints and techniques from these into her “tried and true” recipes to enhance them. Mena was also an expert seamstress who could sew a perfect outfit in a few hours, and each article of clothing looked professionally made. In addition to her creative mind and attention to detail, Mena was the family historian. Her retention of family history and events were remarkable, even in her declining years. Many of her own siblings and cousins would check facts and dates with her. On December 1, 1946, Mena married the love of her life, Giro (Jerry) Peter Pica who predeceased her on June 25,1983. Their enduring marriage was a testament to their great love and respect for one another. Mena is survived by her loving and devoted daughter Donna Marie Derise and Donna’s husband Thomas Edward as well as her precious granddaughter Gira Marie Derise Weaver and Gira’s husband Patrick James. She is also survived by her cherished great- granddaughter Cecily Rose Weaver who meant the world to her. Mena was also predeceased by her biological father, Joseph Testa, who died when she was two years old, her mother Anna Rose (Rosie) Capetola, and her stepfather Anthony (Tony) Capetola who treated her like his own daughter. In addition, she was predeceased by three of her brothers – Rocco (Rocky) Capetola, John Capetola, and Joseph (Joey) Capetola. Surviving are her siblings, Joseph (Buddy) Testa and his wife Carmella, Anthony A. Capetola Esq. and his wife Julianne, Antoinette Di Paolo, Anna Rogalski, Vincenza (Winnie) Mosulak and numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses as well as grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and three great-grandnieces. After spending the first 61 + years of her life in Jersey City and the following 32 years in Parsippany with her daughter and son-in-law, Mena resided for almost three years at Sunrise Assisted Living in Randolph. The family wishes to express their warmest gratitude to everyone who lovingly cared for Mena at Sunrise as well as to its administrative and nursing staff. A Memorial Service in her honor will be held at a later date. All arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com)